Sammy

Update, 29th of June: I can’t believe it! After working and working on it, I have almost the exact same result as the one I originally posted! Here’s the latest, with the earlier below:

I’m working on a real portrait, of a beloved. I can’t quite get the exact perky look. And every time I change it, I get further away from what I want. So, while I almost have the look, I’m posting a photo of the WIP (work in progress). Oh and of course I have to look at a photo, because I’m not good enough without staring at a photo long hours.

I tried coating paper with gesso and glazing with casein. Sure enough, the casein lifted from the gesso. 🙁 So, I switched to egg. Same problem. So the paint is coming completely up while I change every feature.
Oh note – I’ve always hated my ground charcoal (as a true black) in every medium. But in egg, I actually like it.
Well, that’s an opaque I’m using now –
According to Daniel Thompson, of The Practice of Tempera Painting, the fact that I’m using transparent pigments means that I’m just watercoloring with egg. Just kiss my grits, D. Thompson!